Frank J. Lodato

Who was Frank J. Lodato?

Frank J. Lodato, an alumnus and a longtime Stanford supporter. For 30 years, Lodato served in a range of university positions including membership on the Board of Trustees, the Hospital Board and the Athletic Board, and as a University Fellow. He was a founding associate of the Center for Economic Policy Research and a co-founder of the Humanities and Science Forum. In 1977, Lodato headed the search committee that led to the hiring of Bill Walsh as the university's football coach. One of his proudest achievements was founding the DAPER Investment Fund.

In his professional life, Lodato was an early shopping center developer and venture capitalist. With his then brother-in-law, Gregor G. Peterson, he founded the Sutter Hill Companies, which were acquired by Genstar Corporation in 1969. Sutter Hill and its successors remain leading venture firms today. Lodato continued working in venture capital for 30 years and founded a number of local companies. He also served as chairman or board member of several other start-up firms.